YIR: Bookstore Controversy Erupts Over Gaza War

Tensions were running high in January as protest culture swept college campuses across America. Charis Books & More, the oldest independent feminist bookstore in the South, became the target of criticism by women who say the Atlanta institution rebuffed their concerns about its pro-Palestine position and programming.

The women, most but not all Jewish, also are dissatisfied with the response from Agnes Scott College to appeals that Charis — the college’s bookstore partner — demonstrate a more even-handed position toward Israel.

Charis had been open about its pro-Palestine stance. A Nov. 9 Instagram post read: “As booksellers and as people, Charis stands with Palestine and joins the demand for an immediate ceasefire, cutting all military support to Israel, and lifting the siege on Gaza.”

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Programming, particularly a Dec. 9 event, was at the root of the controversy.

A participant’s online promotion read: “A group of parents and educators will offer stories and maps to guide a conversation for kids about Palestine, colonization, and liberation and how kids and families can take action in their own communities.

Geared toward ages 6-12 but all ages are welcome.” A graphic advertising “Let’s Talk About Palestine! An Interactive Workshop For Kids and Their Families” included the logos of Charis Books and the Charis Circle.

One of the speakers told the children that on Oct. 7 people from Gaza: “broke down the wall, they killed mostly soldiers, Israeli and some Israelis coming out of a music festival . . . They also kidnapped 220 Israelis,” according to the notes.

A second speaker likened Palestinians “chased out of their homes” 75 years ago to European settlers who forced the Muskogee tribe off land in Georgia nearly 200 years ago.